Pennsylvania gubernatorial primary gets ugly early

Behind the scenes, the knives are already out in Pennsylvania’s budding Democratic gubernatorial primary.

Earlier this month, a top aide to Rep. Allyson Schwartz warned an adviser to state Treasurer Rob McCord – a likely primary opponent – that there could be consequences for his political consulting business if he continues to criticize the Philadelphia-area congresswoman behind closed doors.

Magnuson copied four top Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee officials on the email, and raised the suggestion that further “ugly” comments about Schwartz could have consequences for the McCord-connected firm.

Schwartz stepped down in February as the finance chair for the DCCC in advance of an expected campaign for governor.

“I get that all is fair in love and war, but the more that people keep sharing with me and others how ugly and beneath you your comments are regarding Congresswoman Schwartz, it makes it next to impossible when good friends at the DCCC and others ask for recommendations for vendors to not be open with your comments regarding Congresswoman Schwartz,” Magnuson wrote in an email.

Magnuson used a personal email address, rather than her congressional account; Hill staffers are barred by ethics rules from using official resources to engage in campaigning.

Nevins responded to the Magnuson broadside with professed bewilderment later the same afternoon, denying that he had made any comments about the 2014 race that he would not “say to you or to Congresswoman Schwartz.”

“Will you please tell me what the hell you are talking about? Seriously. Because that’s one of the most bizarre emails I’ve ever gotten,” Nevins wrote. “When I’m asked for thoughts, I tell people that I think it will be a very competitive primary, but that I think we match up well against the congresswoman.”

Nevins went on at some length about Schwartz’s vulnerabilities as a challenger for Republican Gov. Tom Corbett: “I also tell people that I think we’re a stronger general election candidate, partly because I think Republicans will use Congresswoman Schwartz’s profile against her in very predictable ways.”

Alluding to two failed Democratic congressional candidates who were tarred as overly liberal, Nevins continued: “I think they’ll do to her what they did to Kathy Boockvar last year and Lois Murphy before that. I think Democrats have a great shot to beat Corbett, but I don’t think Congresswoman Schwartz gives us the best chance to do that. And based on the conversations I’ve had with people, I’m not the only one who thinks that way.

Nevins concluded by asking for an apology from Magnuson, who he said was “clearly [trying] to damage my reputation and hurt my business.”

“Rachel, we’ve known each other a long time. If you have a problem or a question, pick up the phone and call me. The DCCC has better things to do than get bogged down with emails about the Pennsylvania governor’s race,” he said. “I told you when we had lunch that I hoped we’d keep an open line of communication. I’m unclear why you chose to take a different, more belligerent approach.”